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<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en" data-selected-theme="normal">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge">
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<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com">
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<title>Some Stores</title>
<style>
:root {
--hue: 200;
--hue2: 300;
--angle: 160deg;
}
</style>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="CSS/HeadersAndDefaults.css?v=1">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="CSS/CollapsibleGroup.css?v=1">
<style>
details {
margin: initial;
}
details.lore summary{
border-left: solid 10px #FFFFFFCC;
}
.sectionHeader:not(#ToCTitle) h1{
padding-left: 0;
text-decoration: underline hsl(var(--hue), 100%, 90%) 3px solid;
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.sectionHeader:not(:first-of-type){
margin: 5px 0;
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text-align: left;
color: hsl(var(--hue), 50%, 30%);
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padding-bottom: 5px;
text-indent: 20px;
width: clamp(75px, min(150ch, 85%), 100%);
transform: translateX(calc(50vw - 50% - 10px));
}
.info{
font-size: 20px;
font-weight: 400;
text-align: center;
padding: 10px;
}
[data-selected-theme="normal"] .tableOfContents{
color: hsl(var(--hue), 50%, 30%);
}
.tableOfContents{
font-size: 17.5px;
font-weight: 550;
text-align: left;
mix-blend-mode: luminosity;
padding-left:15vw;
padding-right:15vw;
}
.tableOfContents a {
color: var(--darkText);
padding: 0 .25rem;
margin: 0 -.25rem;
position: relative;
transition: color .5s ease-in-out;
}
.tableOfContents a:hover {
color: var(--lightColor);
}
.tableOfContents a:after {
border-radius: 25px;
transition: box-shadow .4s ease-in-out;
box-shadow: inset 0 0 0 0 var(--darkText);
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ul{
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ul li ul{
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list-style: disc;
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text-indent: 0px;
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.content{
padding: 10px 10px 10px 10px;
}
}
</style>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="CSS/Nav.css?v=1">
<script src="nav.js"></script>
<script>
window.onload = () => {
CreateNavbar("SomeStories");
};
</script>
</head>
<body>
<header>
<div class="navbar">
<h3 id="SiteName">Prismoria</h3>
<div class="flex-container">
<a href="index.html" id="TheParticle">The Particle</a>
<div class="dropdown">
<button class="dropbtn" id="Characters">Characters
</button>
<div class="dropdown-content">
<a href="Jay.html">Jay Star</a>
<a href="Jacob.html">Jacob Jackson</a>
<a href="Sam.html">Samuel Broteez</a>
<a href="Elliot.html">Elliot Evans</a>
<a>Under Construction</a>
<!-- <a href="YoungElliot.html">(Younger) Elliot Evans</a> -->
<!-- <a href="Adam.html">Adam Zondervan</a> -->
<!-- <a href="Rene.html">Rene Tickle</a> -->
</div>
</div>
<a href="SomeStories.html" id="SomeStories" class="Selected">Some Stories</a>
<a href="Updates.html" id="Updates">Site Updates</a>
</div>
</div>
</header>
<main>
<div class="sectionHeader" id="ToCTitle"><h1>Table of Contents</h1></div>
<div class="tableOfContents">
<h3>Filled circles and/or left-aligned white lines indicate a story with lore<br>These should be relatively in order chronologically</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="Pre-Plot">Before the plot (Aka, Elliot's life)</a>
<ul>
<li class=" "><a href="#0-1">Briefcase</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#0-2">Valentines</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="Pre-Jay">Pre-Jay</a>
<ul>
<li class="lore"><a href="#1 ">Sam x Jacob First Meeting</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#2 ">The Meeting - Part 2</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#3 ">Lunch</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#4 ">Dictionary</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#5 ">3.14159, this is pi, followed by...</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#6 ">Friends?</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#7 ">Friends!</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#8 ">Sleepover</a></li>
<li class="lore"><a href="#9 ">The Event</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#10">The News</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#11">I'm here for you</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#12">You said I could stay here...</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#Pre-Kidnap">Pre-Kidnap</a>
<ul>
<li class="lore"><a href="#1-1">Jay x Jacob First Meeting</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#1-2">Christmas Tree V1</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#1-3">Colors</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#1-4">The Musical</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#1-5">The Musical - Part 2</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#1-6">Visiting</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="#Post-Kidnap">Post-Kidnap</a>
<ul>
<li class="lore"><a href="#2-1">Taken</a></li>
<li class="lore"><a href="#2-2">Jay x Sam First Meeting</a></li>
<li class="lore"><a href="#2-3">Bandages</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#2-4">Nightmare</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#2-5">Returning</a></li>
<li class="lore"><a href="#2-6">Dead Man Walking</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#2-7">Christmas Tree V2</a></li>
<li class=" "><a href="#2-8">Never Have I Ever</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="sectionHeader" id="Pre-Plot"><h1>Before the plot (Aka, Elliot's life)</h1></div>
<details id="1" class="Elliot">
<summary>
<h1>Briefcase</h1>
</summary>
<div class="content">
<p>Lights twinkle around the house, little paper snowflakes skatter around the walls but not in a cluttered way. They're arranged in a very aesthetic way. A few handcrafted trinkets and Christmas themed items furnish the home. The scrawny boy was keeping himself busy, measuring a piece of wood before sawing into it. He was trying to create something that could impress his father. He will continue to craft both day and night if there's a chance that it'll make his father happy.
Its not everyday that dad comes back. He's normally away on business trips for Christmas, so this is a great opportunity to make the best Christmas gift possible.
One of his cats hops up onto the workbench and the boy has to shoo them away. "Two fifteen, go hang out with 3 o'clock, it's dangerous up here-" He has so many cats that he refers to them based on when they normally show up at his house. The only cat he truly owns is a white cat he named Noon as a play on naming black cats Midnight. All the other cats are strays that he lets in and takes care of when his father isn't around. They come and go as they please.
The cat meows, ignoring his warning, trying to get the boys attention. His father is home. The cat heard a new human at the door.
He puts the saw down to look at the cat. "What? Do you need food or something? I already fed yo--" He hears the front door's lock being fiddled with. He immediately jumps into action. Time to lead all the stray cats to the back door. He runs over to the living room. "Alright guys, we practiced this! Time to evacuate." At the word 'evacuate,' all the cats except for his permanent cat spring into action as well, bolting down the hall to the kitty door in the back, running outside. Yes, he trained the cats. That's how much free time he has. This whole routine is pointless for a specific reason, but the boy does it anyways.
And they escaped just in time. The front door opens and the father saunters into the living room, tossing his keys down onto the coffee table before setting his briefcase down. "I see you've been busy at work, Ellie..." He does not seem pleased, sitting down on the couch and starting to take off his shoes so he can relax now that he's home.
"Dad! What a surprise~" Elliot reaches up to take his hairband out, since he knows his father doesn't like him keeping his hair up like that. His hair is pretty long, going a few inches past his shoulders. "How was work? How long do you think you'll be staying?"
The father sets his shoes aside and leans back against the couch, letting out a long sigh. "Probably not long, sorry bud. I can stay around for maybe two weeks if I'm lucky." He looks up at the ceiling, closing his eyes. "And you probably want to show me those things you made? You do know its pointless to make surprises right? I see everything you do." He gestures to one of the nearby cameras.
This is why the evacuation thing was pointless. This house has 24/7 surveillance. To an extreme. Every room in this house, even the bathroom and a few blocks down the street, is being recorded. Every second of Elliot's life is on a hard drive.
"But, it's different when you see it in real life~!" His fathers negativity is not enough to get him down.
But his positivity does not spread to his father. "Doubt it... But fine, show me your briefcase."
Elliot happily runs off to his room to fetch the present he made for his father. It only takes a few seconds, then he runs back to the living room, proudly holding it out to his father. The thing he was working on earlier is a separate present. He makes his father multiple presents.
It's a very useful briefcase. He had done some studying on how they work and made a bunch of blueprints to find ways to make them more efficient: ie. Lighter while still being able to carry the same amount, or utilizing more organization, or being able to store more for the same weight. Or all combined into one. He spent weeks drafting and redrafting designs for this. The final product is immaculate. Sleek and modern while bearing some personal touches, like his fathers name embossed in the well treated leather. And there are some fancy patterns engraved around the edges to add a more expensive look to it. It looks professional. And the inside of it is pretty similar to a normal briefcase, but it does have some differences to add more capabilities and functionality to it, based around the specific needs of his father. Not everyone uses them the same way, so they have to be more generic. But a specific person has a more specific style of use. So, Elliot can skew the functionality towards that.
"Elliot... I have a briefcase."
"I know, but... Just hold it, please?"
The father reluctantly sits up to take the gift from Elliot, opening it up and inspecting it. "... You're going to be an entrepreneur one day."
"That's the plan~!" Elliot smiles and hops onto the couch next to his father, just happy that he didn't totally reject the gift. Thats a win in his books. "One day I'm going to be just like you."
"Good luck with that, kid..." The father sets the briefcase down next to his old one before sitting back against the couch again, gently placing an arm around Elliot. "You might be able to craft, but you have no spine."
"I'll hire people to be my spine!"
His father snorts for a second. "Alright, you do that~"
Elliot smiles brightly and moves over to be closer to his father. Not exactly cuddling with him, they're not exactly the cuddling kind of family. That half hug his father gave him is very affectionate in terms of this family. "I should be able to have your other gift finished before you leave again."
"You don't need to worry about that. You should be focusing your efforts on getting into a good college. And finding a way to pay for it."
"I already have that covered~" Elliot shrugs. "Did you get anything for me?"
"No, sorry."
Elliot may put all this effort in to make his father happy, but it will never be reciprocated.</p>
</div>
</details>
<details id="1" class="Elliot">
<summary>
<h1>Valentines</h1>
</summary>
<div class="content">
<p>Surely, this is enough.
Valentine's Day, at sunset. He stands by the lake, where the tranquil water mirror the marigold and amber hues of the sky. Fireflies dance in the tall grass, tiny stars come to life. A wooden dock stands planted in the middle of the tall grass, reaching out over the water.
He had worked carefully, planting four posts into the earth, wrapping them with strands of fairy lights. The wires dip between them in inverted arches. Merely an enhancement; a window into the beauty of nature most people miss.
Two firefly lamps sit on either side of the dock. The outside is ornate, hand-crafted. Golden vines wrapping around the glass encasing, with flower speckled around. The same flowers that were there during their first date. The posts with the fairy lights have similar engravings.
This should not be "too much". Nor too little.
This *should* be just right.
If he shows up, that is. The window is short; mother nature does not wait. This perfect lighting will not last forever. Then, it *won't* be enough.
"How long did this one take to set up?" A voice sounds from behind him. Elliot spins around to look at his lover with a smile.
He came. On time. This never happens.
"Oh, uh, only a couple hours... Light work, don't worry."
It's rare for Elliot to dress in a cohesive way. Most of the time, it looks like a hodgepodge from several different styles. He puts in more effort for his "surprises," though.
His hair, long auburn hair, is slightly wavy and curled, with a half up half down braid accentuated with matching flowers from the lamps and posts. Normally, he leaves it in a ponytail and calls it a day, but Nico always says he looks nicer with it down.
Since it is Valentines day, he decided to use a warm color pallette for his clothes. A soft red, hand-made crocheted sweater with paw prints on the sleeves, paired with burgundy pants. Simple, but cohesive enough.
Meanwhile, Nico is only slightly fancier than normal. Dressier pants than his usual sweats and a dark, button down shirt. Anything would look good on him; Nico is the embodiment of tall, dark, and handsome. Slick black hair, dark eyes, and physique that is to die for. He doesn't have to try.
"You really shouldn't waste so much time on things like this..." Nico looks around at the scenery. "But, since we're here, I'm assuming you have a plan?"
"Yes." Elliot is completely unphased by Nico apathetic response, choosing to focus on the positives; he's willing to go along with stuff today. "I brought some food for us to share, there's a..." He hesitates, praying Nico doesn't think this part is too much. "There's a firework show in a few minutes. On the other side of the lake." So they would have the perfect view.
Yes, he hired a firework display.
"El..." Nico brings his attention back to his boyfriend. "You really don't need to go through all this. Just a night at a restaurant would've been fine."
Would've been fine for Nico. But a restaurant is not *Elliot*.
"Too late to cancel on me." Elliot states simply before kneeling down beside a Discman he had hidden behind one of the trees looming over the lake. "Just let yourself live in the now. Trust me, you won't regret it." He inserts a burned CD with a playlist of songs he added. First up: Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley. Nico doesn't like the faster songs Elliot would've picked, so he wanted to start off with a classic.
"Elliot..." Nico can't help but smile a little (fucking finally). "I ca—"
Before he has the chance to protest, Elliot is back up on his feet, pulling him under the fairy lights. "Then let me take the lead~ Nobody else is here. Nobody to impress."
He doesn't answer right away, looking at Elliot in the dim, golden light. His hair seems to glow, illuminated by the sunset perfectly. Magically.
"Just one song!" Elliot pushes. "I don't ask for much."
"... Okay, fine."
Elliot beams, and without a second to spare, pulls Nico into the rhythm. Into the song, the scene. He leads, his movement natural. Nico follows, his arm finding Elliot's waist while Elliot wraps his arms over his shoulders. They sway, slow and unhurried. Everything about this moment is so Elliot; thoughtful, intentional, just a little over the top, but undeniably heartfelt.
Elliot rests his head on Nico's chest, speaking quietly. "See? This isn't so bad."
"Shut up," he shoots back, but his tone is soft.
Once the song comes to an end, Elliot leans up to give Nico a quick kiss before letting go. "I won't force you to do another, don't worry~"
Nico chuckles softly. "Good~" He finds a spot to sit down next to one of the posts. "I'm not really good at that kind of thing."
"It doesn't matter if you're good or not, silly." He goes back to where the discman is, beside the tree. That's where he stashed everything to keep it all out of the view. "Anyway, I did get you something. My father came back from France a few days ago, I made sure to ask him to bring something back." He takes a small bag and gives it to Nico, sitting down in front of him with a smile.
The bag itself isn't anything special, just something to hide the gift in. Inside is a small box of chocolates, which you can only get from that area in France. Nico looks at Elliot, then pulls him into a hug. "I don't know how you manage to do all of this."
"I just know how to pull some strings," he says with a chuckle.
Nico shakes his head, exhaling a quiet laugh. "You're ridiculous."
"Yeah, yeah. But you love me anyway."
The first crack of fireworks splits the sky, pulling their attention to the sky. A heart in the sky, a mesmorizing painting against the sunset canvas. A display for all couples in the area.
Elliot shifts to rest his head on Nico while they watch the fireworks.
This is enough.</p>
</div>
</details>
<div class="sectionHeader" id="Pre-Jay"><h1>Pre-Jay</h1></div>
<details id="1" class="Jacob Sam lore">
<summary>
<h1>Sam x Jacob First Meeting</h1>
</summary>
<div class="content">
<p>The last bell of the school day rings. The brunette grabs all his books and pencils, shoving them into his backpack nervously, leaving out one slip of orange paper.
Today is the day. The day he has to meet with his tutor for the first time. He's already failed one grade, he can't keep this up forever. What will they be like? What if they're super dry and boring? That won't help him at all, he needs someone he can engage with.
Whoever it is, the tutor must be rich or something, because the address he has to go to is on Pillets Street. That's where a lot of the more wealthy families of Prismoria live.
With a sigh, Jacob slings his red bookbag over his shoulder and clutches the orange paper. Doubts creep in. What if they're not accepting of him? What if they get frustrated and leave him too?
No. No more ‘what ifs.' That's just a fast track to feeling worse. Right now, he just needs to get on the right bus.
He weaves through the crowded hallways, making his way outside. Slot 27... 26... 15... 14... There—Slot 13.
No second-guessing. Just get on. Don't even think about it.
With a deep breath, Jacob clutches the paper in his hands and steps up into the bus. The bus driver, a burly looking man with graying hair, eyes the paper in Jacob's hands.
"Hi, this is Slot 13, right? I uh... I need to get to the Broteez household?" He holds out the orange slip with a polite smile.
The man snatches the slip, reading the writing on it to confirm. "The Broteez household? Did they finally pay someone to be that kid's friend?" He chuckles to himself. "Yes, this is slot 13. Your stop will be the fourth stop."
"Thank you!" Jacob turns to look down the aisle, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Pretty soon, they won't be so unfamiliar if this tutoring session goes well.
He slowly makes his way down the aisle, looking for an empty seat. The only spot that looks good is a seat next to a redhead with freckles dotting his face and arms. After doing one more scan for any other seats, Jacob walks up to the redhead, putting on that polite smile again. "Hi, do you mind if I sit here?"
"Go ahead," the redhead moves over to give Jacob more room to sit down. "My name is Keegan, what's yours?"
Jacob lets his bag slide down off his shoulder, swinging it down to the ground in front of him as he takes a seat next to Keegan. "I'm Jacob, nice to meet you. Do you know if anyone from the Broteez family rides this bus?"
Keegan shakes his head, his curly locks bouncing with the movement. "No, they're always dropped off or picked up by their parents or a personal driver."
So, there is no chance that Jacob somehow spots his tutor here. He will have to continue to wait.
"Why?"
"Oh, nothing, I was just curious." Nobody can know that he needs tutoring. "Hey, do you want to play a game~?"
---
"Well, this is my stop. See you around!" Jacob grabs his bag when the bus stops for a fourth time, getting up.
"See you!" Keegan calls out after him, waving.
Jacob waves back and heads off the bus before turning to face the house. Calling it a house feels wrong. It's a mansion. The towering white structure is adorned with intricate details, massive windows gleaming in the afternoon light. He knew this kid was rich, but this is something else.
Snapping himself out of it, he walks up to the front door and knocks.
It swings open almost instantly, revealing a younger boy with messy blond hair, an obnoxiously bright outfit, and a nerdy pun on his t-shirt. And he has on these big, Harry Potter style glasses. But most noticeably, he looks to be younger than Jacob. And this kid is supposed to be Jacob's tutor.
Did he get the wrong address? This kid looks like an 8 year old with ADHD.
It's clear once the boy speaks that this is indeed the correct place. "Are you Jacob? Come in! What subject do you need help on? Is it science? Math? Actually, it doesn't really matter, either way it'll be fun~!" He speaks so fast that all his words slur together and sound like one big string of random sounds. Jacob heard his name in that jumble of words though, so this must be the right place.
Before he knows it, the excited blond grabs Jacob's arm and drags him into the house, practically jumping with joy. "My parents are busy right now, so we have the whole house to ourselves. Would you rather work in the living room or the kitchen?"
It takes a few seconds for Jacob to answer, he's too shocked by how big the inside is to speak. It's massive. Just the first room is twice the size of his entire house. "Living room..." The brunette manages to get out, gaping at what this kid lives in.
The younger boy giggles softly, and it is just the cutest sound Jacob has ever heard. It was just so innocent and pure. "We won't always be meeting in this house, my parents just like staying in this house to make business deals~ Don't be overwhelmed by the size." He leads Jacob down a fancy hallway to the living room, where a huge tv screen is on the wall. Practically a cinema tv screen. In this kids house. Jacob didn't even know that was possible.
"What was your name again?"
"Sam! Didn't you check who was going to be tutoring you?"
That almost sounded like an insult, so Jacob looks at Sam, but the boy looks so innocent, it's obvious he meant no harm. Honestly, Sam looks like the happiest boy alive. "Are you always this... Intense?"
Sam shakes his head, finally standing still for a full twenty seconds. "Sorry, I just... I've never had a friend, and... I never get to talk about math or science with anyone-"
Jacob feels his chest tighten as Sam explains himself, giving him a pitiful look. This kid is just too precious for him to handle. He sets his school bag down by the coffee table, which is surrounded by a few couches, so he takes a seat. "Is that why you want to tutor? I'm a grade above you I think, how are you going to teach me?..."
Being asked about that makes Sam beam with delight. "I know high school math, I'm pretty sure I can teach you your math~"
The brunette's jaw drops. How many times is this weird looking kid going to surprise him like this?! "You what? I... I barely know my multiplication-" Sam laughs, a carefree and giddy type of infectious laughter that makes a smile tug at Jacob's lips. "Oh, shut up, it's not easy!" He pushes Sam playfully, which makes the bright green eyed male laugh more.
"Let's just see what we have to work on, shall we?" He gestures to Jacob's bag, ready to get to work tutoring.
After a groan of reluctance, Jacob opens his bag and pulls out his school work, setting it down on the coffee table along with two pencils. The blonde immediately starts to scan over the problems, his eyes lighting up with anticipation. This is what Sam considers fun.
"Your handwriting is hideous but I see where you messed up. 1 + 1 is not 5."
Jacob flushes as Sam starts marking his mistakes. It doesn't help much—until Sam goes back and explains everything, breaking down how to avoid those errors in the future.
Jacob sighs, shaking his head. Maybe—just maybe—this won't be so bad after all.</p>
</div>
</details>
<details id="2" class="Jacob Sam">
<summary>
<h1>The Meeting - Part 2</h1>
</summary>
<div class="content">
<p>Jacob groans, squeezing his eyes shut as he brings an arm up to pinch the bridge of his nose. After what feels like hours has gone by, he is now lying down on the couch, staring up at the ceiling in frustration. Sam has moved to the couch across from him.
"Now, Jacob, it's really quite simple, if you just picture the numbers in your head and—" and blah blah blah blah. That's all Jacob hears. Sam says more, but it's all blurring together.
"Sam, can we be done for now?"
"But... You still have another hour scheduled- You'd be wasting your money."
"This isn't helping!" He opens his eyes and sits up, looking at Sam. "I need a break. What kinds of games do you have? You must have some good ones, you probably have access to everything~"
"I uh... My parents get annoyed with me playing video games... I tend to break the TV, then they have to replace it. It's just a hassle, innit?"
"I uh... My parents get annoyed with me playing video games... I tend to break the TV, then they have to replace it. It's just a hassle, innit?"
Jacob pauses. A couple of things stand out. First, the giant cinema-sized TV gets broken that often? Just casually destroying expensive electronics like it's nothing? Sure. Totally normal.
Second, the accent. Again.
This isn't the first time Sam's speech has shifted mid-sentence. All day, he's been slipping into different accents at random. Mostly, he sounds American, but then a phrase or two will come out distinctly British, or Swedish, or... something Jacob can't quite place. And the weirdest part? It doesn't feel intentional. He's not mocking anyone, not putting on a show; it just happens.
"Why do you break the TV?"
Sam shrugs, swinging his legs back and forth over the edge of the couch. "I get mad and throw the controller at it."
You know, the thing any kid would do if they had a cinema sized TV. Simply destroy it every other day. But this kid seems so pure and carefree, there's no way he would get that mad over a video game. There's just no way.
"C'mon, can we at least play one game? How about Mario Kart? It'll be fun! Isn't that why you wanted to tutor, to have a friend? Friends play games with each other!"
Sam sets his pencil down, looking up at Jacob and crossing his arms as he considers the offer, deep in thought. He really is thinking about the pros and cons... of Mario Kart. After several moments pass, he nods. "Fine, but you owe me a cookie."
"I— What?! You are rich, why do you need me to buy you a cookie?"
"Playing games isn't part of my job, it costs extra."
The smugness in Sam's tone make the corners of Jacob's mouth twitch upward as he stares at the blonde in disbelief. It is just a cookie, so it's not like it'll be that hard to bring next session. Jacob wasn't expecting Sam to be so strict with his payment though.
"Fine! I'll get you a cookie. Now, what consol—"
"Make it a chocolate chip cookie." Sam cuts Jacob off before he can finish. Sheesh, this kid is demanding.
"You'll get what you get. Final offer." Jacob isn't going to put up with this kid being that picky.
"Fine, but I get to pick characters first."
Sam hops off the couch, walking on over to the TV. He kneels down to open up the cabinet in the TV stand. That's where the remotes are. Of course, he doesn't have the default controllers that come with the console, he has custom controllers. Is everything this kid owns a flex?
"Would you like blue or red?" He asks as he looks back over at Jacob, holding two controllers in his hands.
"Red," Jacob answers. He was not ready, however, for Sam to throw the red controller at him. Luckily, he manages to catch it, but only barely. "Careful!"
Sam waves off Jacob's concern, grabbing a green controller for himself as well as the TV remote before closing the cabinet doors. Then he gets up and runs over to jumps onto the same couch as Jacob, landing in a strange position. But he seems perfectly content with his position, only adjusting it slightly to be able to point the remote at the tv and turn it on. The stereos on either side also power up, startling Jacob a bit when the console plays that turning on sound.
He stays quiet as Sam gets Mario Kart started and picks out his character, interested to see who he would pick. Yoshi. He picks Yoshi. Jacob smiles a little, deciding to pick Luigi. "How often do you play Mario Kart? Who do you think is going to win~?"
"You're going down."
Jacob can't tell what accent that was, but it was definitely a different accent. He's getting used to that by now though. "Whatever you say~"
The race starts. Right off the bat, Sam does take the lead. He probably has played a lot more than Jacob has, so that makes sense. But he also seems intensely competitive over this. A lot more than Jacob was expecting.
"I told you I would win~"
Okay, he doesn't need to rub it in. That's just rude. But, Jacob can tell Sam doesn't mean that offensively, he's just so focused on winning that he lost any sense of politeness.
"Not for long~!" Jacob grins as he decides to reach over and snatch that green controller away from Sam. The blonde gasps dramatically and fights to get his controller back.
"How dare you!"
Jacob holds the controller up high in the air, using his free hand to continue playing as best as he can. He can't really steer that well with just one hand, but he's certainly making more progress than Sam.
"Give it back!"
Jacob lets out a surprised laugh as he suddenly feels Sam digging a hand into his exposed side since he has his arm raised up, tickling him. He quickly brings his arm back down to defend himself. "Hehehey! If tickling is allowed, you're in big trouble, mister!"
Sam grabs his controller out of Jacob's hand, getting his character back on the road. "It's not allowed, but nor is stealing my controller, poppyhead."
Jacob laughs again at the attempt of an insult. "Alright, alright, I won't cheat anymore~ Nerd~"
"Ey! Nerd pride!"
Jacob smirks, ready to tease him further, but the sound of the front door opening and shutting cuts the moment short. Sam quickly pauses the game, whatever happy and energetic feelings he had vanishing from his face. "Mom's home... Pops shuts the door louder than that."
Sam was right. A woman starts to walk by the living room, but pauses to look at the two young boys. "Why aren't you two studying? I thought you were creating a little... Study circle or whatever." Her voice is cold. She wears a fancy black and white dress with a frilly v-line collar to it. She has the same eyes as Sam, but light brown, straight hair instead of blond and wavy.
"W-we were, but Jacob here was getting overwhelmed. You know how quickly people get sick of talking to me," Sam fiddles around with the controller in his hands. Then he decided to quickly set it down. "Sorry, we'll get right back to work." There's that accent again, this time distinctly British.
"Good." The woman continues past the living room, disappearing behind a wall soon enough.
Jacob glances over at Sam, his heart sinking as he sees tears welling up in his eyes. But the blond quickly pushes his glasses up slightly as he wipes the tears away, shaking his head. "Sorry, we should get back to studying. That's what you're here for."
Jacob shakes his head, setting his controller down and reaching out to pull Sam into a hug. "No, Sam... Is she always like that?"
The tears start to well up again because Sam isn't used to people making an effort to comfort him. He shakes his head. "No, she probably just didn't get a deal she wanted. But it's okay, really. Let's just work. You need to get your grades up." He tries to push away from Jacob, but Jacob pulls him back just one more time. He's not going to continue to force Sam into a hug, but he feels like the kid needs a little more encouragement first. And Jacob was right, because then the younger boy just collapses into his arms, crying softly.
"Hey, hey, it's okay. I'm here." Jacob wraps his arms around Sam, gently rubbing his back. He really did not expect tutoring to turn out like this. But, he's already found that he really likes this kid. Even if they've only been hanging out for an hour or so. He gets attaches to people very easily.
The blonde curls up in his arms, crying quietly and struggling to try to stop crying. He isn't very successful. "I'm sorry. I'm supposed to be... Professional... I shouldn't have... Given in... To your offer." He gets out between breaths.
"No, no, that's not your fault. I don't care if you're professional or not~ I did learn a bit from you already. I'm just a bit slow, sometimes I need a break. That is not on you." Jacob tries to soothe Sam as best as he can, not sure what to say to make this better. "I'll get you that cookie tomorrow~"
That seems to grab Sam's attention and distract him from what just happened.
"Chocolate chip, just like you asked~ I'll even have it homemade! How does that sound?"
He nods, sniffling a little as he wipes away his tears again. But he doesn't move away from the hug.
"Alright~ Sounds like a plan," Jacob smiles, gently running his fingers through Sam's messy hair. "Now, what was that you were saying before about imagining the numbers in your head?"
That gets a small smile out of Sam. "Well, if you can picture numbers in your head, then multiplication and division become really easy. You just—" And he's off again, ranting about math.
Jacob tries to follow along with what he's saying, but he only really gets about half of it. But, at least it cheered Sam up again. And at least he won't get in trouble for this.</p>
</div>
</details>
<details id="3" class="Jacob Sam">
<summary>
<h1>Lunch</h1>
</summary>
<div class="content">
<p>The next day, Jacob goes about his first 4 classes like normal. Strangely enough, during math class, he can't help but hear Sam's voice in his head reminding him of a simpler way to do multiplication. He still doesn't really understand what the kid was trying to say, but he's able to keep up with the teacher slightly more.
His 5th period however is lunch. Like normal, he waits in line to grab some food. His mother normally doesn't have enough time to pack him a lunch, so he has the school's lunch. As he's punching his number into the register thing though so the money can be taken out of his account for the meal, he notices a neon color out of the corner of his eye. He quickly glances over in that direction.
What is Sam doing having lunch in this period? Isn't his grade supposed to be having recess right now? But there's no doubt about it, there Sam is, sitting at a table by himself.
A smile tugs at Jacob's lips. You would think a rich kid would have a sense of style, but nope. There Sam is, perfectly content wear some absurdly bright shorts paired with a green shirt that says "I look at the Table of Elements, Periodically." What does that even mean?
He decides to walk over and set his tray down at Sam's table instead of his normal table, setting his bag down near a chair. The boys at his normal table look over at him, confused, but he waves them off with a smile, mouthing to them "You can talk without me." Then he takes a seat across from Sam. "Hey, Sammy~ How's it going?"
"Do not ruin your popularity by sitting with me," Sam says bluntly in a sort of Australian accent, not looking up from the homework he's currently trying to fill out. He really breezes right through the assignment, not seemingly to get stuck on a single question.
"You're cute~ Why would sitting with you ruin my 'popularity'?" Jacob can't help his smile from growing a bit more as he sees the tips of Sam's ears tinge a shade of pink with the compliments. Not his cheeks, just the tips of his ears. "Besides, what are you doing here anyway? Aren't you supposed to be at recess?"
"I have special permission to not go to recess."
"Why would you WANT to skip recess?"
"I got bored of throwing a tennis ball at the wall and catching it repeatedly. I can even do it with a basketball, one-handed."
Oh. Right... He doesn't really have any friends, so recess wouldn't be fun for him. He'd rather have fun... Sitting in the cafeteria doing homework. Because that sounds like so much fun.
Now Jacob feels like he dampened the mood. He needs a way to lighten the conversation again. "Oh! I got that cookie for you~ My mom and I cooked a whole batch!" He reaches down to unzip his bookbag, retrieving a Ziploc bag of chocolate chip cookies from it. When he holds them up proudly to show Sam, the younger boy snatches it right out of his hand. Guess he really wanted that cookie. "Not even a thank you~?"
Sam stops mid-unzipping to stare at Jacob like he just suggested something insane. "No." He then goes back to opening the bag, taking a cookie out. Before he tries it though, he glances around briefly, as if making sure it was safe to eat it. Then he starts to nibble on the cookie.
Are people really that mean to him? He's 8. What are people in his grade doing to him? At least it doesn't seem to have affected his outlook on life, the kid seems happy and cheerful most of the time.
"You should say thank you, but I won't push it~" Jacob pulls his tray over, picking up the plastic fork and stabbing it into the old looking green beans. He can't really complain, he doesn't have the money to complain about the quality of food. So, he just eats whatever's given. "What are you working on?"
"Don't talk with your mouth full."
Jacob rolls his eyes, swallowing his food before speaking now. "That's a weird homework name~"
"No, that's not the name of the assignment, I was telling you not to talk with food in your mouth." The sarcasm went right over Sam's head.
A subtle grin forms on Jacob's face as he decides to mess with Sam a bit by keeping up this little joke. "What? But... I asked you a question and you answered!"
"Yes, but I wasn't answering your question, I was telling you not to do something."
"That... I don't understand... Is your assignment not named 'Don't talk with your mouth full'?"
Sam is clearly getting frustrated with this conversation. He puts his cookie down with an annoyed sigh, shaking his head. "No, I'm working on science!"
"... About the implications of talking with your mouth full?" It is getting hard for Jacob to maintain a straight face as he talks.
The blonde looks at Jacob, his eyes full of frustrated annoyance. Then, out if nowhere, he grabs the cookie again and throws it right at Jacob's head. "No, you nincompoop!"
Luckily, Jacob is able to duck out of the way just in time, and the cookie lands on the floor behind him. He starts laughing, unable to keep it together for any longer. "Nincom-what?!"
"A stupid person!"
The brunette breaks down laughing more, putting his fork down and hugging himself as he laughs. Sam wasn't lying about breaking the TV, that's for sure. "Sahaham! Sammy~ I was juhuhust messing with you! I knew what you meant~"
Sam takes another cookie out of the bag and throws that one at Jacob too. "You pooppyface!"
Jacob doesn't fully dodge this cookie, it bounces off his shoulder and falls back onto the table, crumbling into pieces with the impact. But Jacob doesn't care, he's laughing too much to care. "I'm sorry!"
The blonde crosses his arms childishly as he watches the other laugh at this whole conversation. It's not his fault that people don't mean what they say... "Jerk..." He turns away dramatically. This only makes Jacob laugh more. "I'm not playing Mario Kart with you again!"
"Nononono! I'm sorry! Sammy, I'm sohohohorry, I won't ever do it again. I promise!" Jacob says quickly as he tries to calm himself down, a few giggles and chuckles still managing to get by his defenses.
"We'll see how I feel after school." That is Sam's final decision. "Now let me work in peace."
"Work on your science project about not talking with your mouth full~?"
Sam picks up another cookie and raises it up with a sharp inhale, ready to throw it.
"Sorry, thats the last one, I swear~"
Sam puts the cookie down.
"Do you actually want to be left alone? I can go to another table if you want. I just wanted to chat for a bit. But I don't think it'd be safe to mess with you any more~"
"I won't be a great conversationalist. You're going to see me after school anyway."
Jacob nods, a wide smile still stuck on his face. "Alright. Well, it was fun talk with you~!" Jacob gets up and picks up his bookbag, slinging it over his shoulder. Then he picks up his lunch tray to go join his friends at his normal table.</p>
</div>
</details>
<details id="4" class="Jacob Sam">
<summary>
<h1>Dictionary</h1>
</summary>
<div class="content">
<p>Later that day, Jacob takes the bus to Sam's house again. When Sam answers the door, Jacob freezes.
The kid is in full black, skin-tight clothes. Not like gym shorts or a tank top—long sleeves, leggings, the works. It looks *athletic*, but it also looks *wrong*. Especially with his glasses.
Jacob stares. Opens his mouth. Nothing comes out. Confusion has left him tongue-tied.
"...Are you okay?" Sam tilts his head. He doesn't even seem to realize what could be so confusing.
Jacob gestures vaguely at him. "What are you *wearing*?"
"Oh! This? There's no time between your tutoring session and my dance class today, so I'm going to wear this for the session. It is still clothes, so I don't think it's inappropriate- That's why I needed to get homework done during recess today and couldn't talk much."
Jacob blinks. "Wait. *Dance class*?"
"Mhm. Come on, we can't start late." Sam steps aside to let him in.
He snaps out of his thoughts for long enough to be able to follow Sam inside, staring at the outfit in disbelief. He can't help it. He can't wrap his mind around this new piece of information.
"Is there anything you can't do?"
"I can't swim," Sam offers up as he brings Jacob to the living room and sits down on one of the couches. "And as you already figured out, I can't pick up on sarcasm sometimes."
So, his parents get him dancing lessons but cheap out on the swimming lessons? The objectively more important skill to have.
"Also, I was thinking next time, we could go to your place, that way you're not tempted by the TV. You will have a week to think about it since you scheduled for only two days a week."
How thoughtful...
Jacob takes a seat next to Sam on the couch, setting his bookbag down and opening it up. "Does that mean you would have to take the bus~?"
"What? No."
"... I don't want you pulling up in a limo or something." He doesn't want him mother to see that and start worrying about if she's providing enough for him to have a good life.
"A limo? Absolutely not. I'll be traveling via private jet." Sam's tone does not change, it is just as blunt as normal. Jacob cannot tell if what he said is a joke.
He stares at the blond for a few seconds, trying to see if he's being serious.
"... That was sarcastic," Sam clarifies.
"You are not good at being sarcastic, sorry."
Sam shrugs, not really affected by that. He just accepts it. "What did you want to work on today?"
Jacob returns his gaze to his bag to take out a folder and a pencil, which he sets on the table. "You seem to know a lot of big words. So... Can you help me with English? Wait, no, I still don't have a real answer to my question. If you're not taking the bus, how will you get to my house?"
"A normal car. And yes, we can work on English." He leans forward to open the folder and see what's in it, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "What does me knowing big words have to do with using -ing verbs in a sentence?"
"You probably know some really impressive -ing verbs!"
"I mean, I don't like acquiescing," he offers.
Jacob flings his arms apart, a dramatic gesture to that word. "See! What does that mean?"
"To accept something reluctantly but without protest."
"Why do you know this?"
"I read the dictionary."
... Is that a joke? Sam's tone is still the same again, there is no hint of this being a joke. It sounds completely serious, like normal. "That's a joke... Right?"
Sam tilts his head, furrowing his eyebrows. "Why would that be a joke?"
"What is an eight-year-old doing reading a dictionary?!"
"I was bored! I didn't memorize every word, only the ones I found interesting! And I thought it would be helpful when learning different languages in the future."
Jacob drags a hand down his face. "You were bored so you read the dictiona—" He stops himself. "No, this is a joke. You're getting back at me for earlier today. I said I was sorry!"
Sam hops off the couch suddenly and runs over to a nearby bookshelf to take a book out. Then he comes back and hands it to Jacob. It's the dictionary.
"Owning a dictionary proves nothing—"
"Open it."
The brunette looks at the younger boy skeptically before opening to a random page.
There are notes. Very messy handwriting, but there are notes. And some words are highlighted. This man took notes in the dictionary. He is a menace to society, someone needs to stop him.
"Now, can we get to work?" The blonde asks as he sits back down, taking a paper out of Jacob's folder so they can get started on that worksheet.
Jacob exhales, shaking his head. He wants to keep learning more about this kid. Honestly, he'd rather just hang out without having to pay to spend time with him. But he has no idea how to bring that up.
For now, he just closes the dictionary and nudges it aside. "Sure~" He smiles, deciding to focus solely on academics for the rest of his time with Sam today. Don't think about the new outfit and the extreme clash it has with those Harry Potter glasses, don't think about that stuff. Focus on English. Surely there isn't too much more about this kid that could surprise him.
For the rest of the hour, Sam helps Jacob with identifying what -ing verbs and how to use them properly, as well as why they're important; how they add action and flow to a sentence. Why they're better than using passive voice. Jacob doesn't really know what passive voice means, but he sort of started to see how having an action 'in action' is more interesting than if the action has already been completed or is about to happen.</p>
</div>
</details>
<details id="5" class="Jacob Sam">
<summary>
<h1>3.14159, this is pi, followed by...</h1>
</summary>
<div class="content">
<p>The next week is uneventful until one of the tutoring sessions is scheduled for. Jacob finds Sam at lunch a few times, so he would join him and mess with the kid for a little while before inevitably being shooed away to his own table.
Eventually, though, Thursday rolls around. The tutoring sessions are on Thursday and Friday.
Jacob anxiously paces back and forth in the living room, waiting for the doorbell to ring or for a knock on the door. His mother sits on the couch, watching this quietly. She is quite a small woman, with the same caramel brown, messy hair as Jacob. Her eyes are hazel and filled with the same love and compassion that fill Jacob's eyes.
"Jakey, why are you so nervous for this kid to stop by?" She asks in a gentle tone, wanting to help her son calm down.
"He's from a rich family," Jacob blurts, running a hand through his hair. "What if he makes some backhanded comment about you? Or how small the house is? And that's not an insult to you! I love this place. But he might find it... small."
She chuckles, shaking her head. "Don't worry about that. Focus on improving your grades.” Her smile softens. “Are you sure that's all that's bothering you? Is this boy…?"
Jacob's face heats up as his cheeks turn a rosy pink. "No! Just because I came out doesn't mean I like every guy I meet! I just... wouldn't mind holding hands with some boys at school- But I don't want that with girls. I think..."
His mother raises her hands up defensively, not pushing that any further. "Alright. I wanted to ask just in case."
The doorbell chimes before Jacob can overthink her words. He nearly trips over himself rushing to answer it. As he swings open the door, Sam stands outside with his usual bright smile, a tall man in a black suit beside him.
The young boy looks up at the man. "You can go now."
"As you wish." The man bows before retreating to the car Sam came in.
He then looks back to Jacob with that same bright smile. "Is this your vacation home or something?"
No, he cannot comprehend that some people can't afford a mansion.
Jacob blinks. “No... this is my home.” He sighs, bracing himself. “Before you come in, I need to tell you—my mom has a medical condition. Please don't make any comments about it. If you have questions, ask me, but don't be rude.”
Sam tilts his head. “When am I ever rude?”
Jacob doesn't dignify that with an answer. “Just come in. And take your shoes off by the door.”
Sam nods, stepping inside and kneeling to untie his shoes. When he stands, his gaze immediately lands on Jacob's mother, who's risen from the couch to greet him. "Is that your sister?" Sam asks.
"That's my mom."
"Is the medical condition that she's a child?"
The mother walks over to join the two, smiling sweetly. "No, sweetie, it's called dwarfism. This just means I'm a small person~" She stands no taller than 4 feet. Jacob is at least 4'2" currently, taller than his mother.
"Ooohhhhh... I think I read about that before. Cool! Is Jacob going to be like you too?"
Jacob sighs and nods. "This is probably as tall as I'm going to get..."
"That's unfortunate. I'm going to be big like my dad!"
"Yeah, way to rub it in... You're never rude..."
His mother chuckles. “Well, I'll leave you two to it. There are snacks in the kitchen if you get hungry—”
“Snacks?” Sam's face lights up.
“Yes~” She gestures toward the kitchen before heading to the basement. “I'll be downstairs if you need anything.”
Jacob watches her go before turning to Sam. “She's a sweet lady~” Sam says. “Where are we studying?”
"In my room. That way, we can't be 'tempted' by the TV~ Follow me." He offers Sam his hand without thinking about it. The blond takes it without hesitation. A blush spreads across his Jacob's.
Maybe his mother was right...
Nope! This kid is two years younger than him—that'd be weird. Right? But then again, high school seniors date sophomores all the time… Whatever. Doesn't matter. That's not why Sam's here. He's here to teach, and Jacob is here to learn. End of story.
He shakes off the thought as they reach his room. Sam lets go of his hand, immediately turning in circles to take in the walls covered in band posters—one of which features Jacob's father. A poster he still can't bring himself to take down, even after… the fight...
Sam's gaze soon lands on the guitar case next to Jacob's bed, and he kneels down, reaching out to touch it.
Jacob is quick to pull Sam away. "No no, no touching that."
"Do you know how to play?" He asks in a very excited tone as he turns around to look at Jacob. "Can you play a song for me?"
Fudge.
How can he say no to that face? Sam looks so pure, a pleading glint in his eyes, joined with genuine curiosity.
"My father taught me how to play, but... No, I..." Sam looks like a kicked puppy. "We shouldn't be wasting our time with that! I need help understanding how photosynthesis works. There's a quiz on it tomorrow."
"I'll stay an extra half hour, free of charge!"
Jacob goes quiet for a few moments, trying his best to resist Sam's sad puppy eyes, but he can't. He can't say no! "Fine... But only one song! Then you need to actually help me."
Sam cheers up immediately, jumping up and down in place with joy. He may not speak like a child very often, but he certainly acts like one. "What songs do you know?"
"What song do you want?" Jacob kneels down to open the guitar case carefully.
"The pi song!"
Jacob freezes. "The what?"
"You know... 3.14159, this is pi, followed by 2653589, circumference over di-ameter..." He actually sings that. Well, not trying to sing, he can't help but follow the song's tune.
This is the kind of music Sam listens to?
Then Sam gasps, practically having a light bulb appear over his head. "We can do both! What if we made up a song about photosynthesis? Then during the quiz, all you would need is to have the tune in your head, and you would remember it!"
Jacob laughs, not expecting to ever hear an idea like that, from anyone. But, he should've known Sam would suggest something like that. It doesn't sound like a half-bad idea, though. "Sure~ Let's write a song about photosynthesis~" He takes the guitar out of the case, sitting down at the edge of the bed with it in his arms.
Sam beams with happiness, looking around quickly for some paper and a pencil or something to write with. "Alright. I'll explain how photosynthesis works, then you translate it into lyrics!"
"Sounds like a plan~"</p>
</div>
</details>
<details id="6" class="Jacob Sam">
<summary>
<h1>Friends?</h1>
</summary>
<div class="content">
<p>The next day during science class, Jacob is able to ace that quiz about photosynthesis. The entire time, he was quietly humming the melody he and Sam had composed. He even hums it on his way to the cafeteria. This time as he's walking up the cafeteria, though, he gets stopped just outside the door.
Sam was waiting by the door, a bit anxiously. But when he sees Jacob, his face lights up as he quickly reaches out to grab his hand. "Jacob! You don't need that gross school food; I brought you something!" He says excitedly as he tries to drag the older boy with him out to the tables to sit down.
Jacob just got hit with a whirlwind of emotions. Does this mean they're actually friends now? Does Sam see him as more than just someone he has to tutor? And what kind of food would Sam bring?
As Jacob follows Sam toward their usual lunch spot, something feels off. The blonde suddenly slows down, hesitating mid-step. Jacob follows his gaze and quickly spots the problem—a taller, broad-shouldered kid standing right by the table Sam usually takes. The guy looks impatient, arms crossed.
Jacob doesn't like the way Sam tenses up beside him.
"Sammy?" he asks quietly, but before Sam can answer, the kid turns toward them, his lips curling into a smirk.
"There you are, pipsqueak," the bully sneers, stepping forward. "Took you long enough. Where's that money you promised me?"
Sam instinctively takes a step back. "I-I never promised you anything-"
"Oh yeah?" The kid cocks his head, taking another step toward them. "You sure about that? ‘Cause I remember you saying you'd pay me back." He cracks his knuckles. "Maybe I can jog your memory."
Jacob doesn't even think. He steps in front of Sam, his heart pounding as he plants himself between them. Sam doesn't even hesitate before ducking behind him.
"He said he didn't promise you anything," Jacob says firmly, standing his ground. "So I'd back off if I were you."
The bully scoffs. "And what are you gonna do about it?"
Jacob lifts his chin, eyes darting toward the cafeteria entrance where a few of his classmates are sitting. Then, he smirks. "See that table over there? My friends are watching. There's, what, ten of them? You might be able to take on two of us, but I doubt you'd last against all of them."
The bully glances toward the group, his expression faltering for a split second. He clicks his tongue in irritation, then huffs. "Tch. Not worth my time." With that, he turns on his heel and stalks off.
Jacob doesn't relax until he's sure the guy is gone. The second he turns to check on Sam, though, the blonde nearly knocks the air out of him—arms wrapped tight around his middle, face pressed against his shoulder.
"Sammy? Are you okay?"
"I hate when they do that..." Sam whispers against his shirt.
Jacob softens, wrapping his arms around Sam in return. "I know. But you're okay now. I'm here." He gives Sam a reassuring squeeze. "Wanna go eat somewhere else? Away from all this?"
Sam just nods.
"Alright, let's go." Jacob takes his hand, leading him toward the courtyard. "Why don't you go to the courtyard normally?" He's trying to distract the other from what just happened, leading him toward the courtyard door.
"I don't like bugs in my food..."
Jacob chuckles softly as he opens the door and follows Sam out. "That's it?"
"And... I don't think it's fair for me to eat somewhere else just because of Mom..." That's why that kid was asking for money. Sam's parents are rich, and he's an easy target.
The brunette brings the other out to a nice table in the courtyard, setting his bag down by the table and sitting down. "It's not fair for you to be treated like that at all..."
Sam sets his bag down before hesitantly settling beside Jacob. He hesitates for a moment, then carefully lifts Jacob's arm, shifting closer until it can rest naturally around him. His movements are slow, almost timid—like he's silently asking permission. When Jacob doesn't pull away, Sam finally leans into him, just slightly.
"Sam..." Heat creeps up Jacob's face, but he doesn't resist. Instead, he lets his arm settle around Sam, allowing the younger boy to tuck himself in for comfort. He probably won't even notice the blush.
"How often does this happen?" Jacob asks softly.
Sam doesn't answer.
"Okay," Jacob says quickly. "We don't have to talk about it." He clears his throat, then brightens. "Hey, guess what? The song we wrote worked~ I think I passed the quiz!"
Sam still doesn't say anything; he just stays where he is silently.
"Oh, come on~ Hey, we could work on your science homework together~ You know, the one about not talking with your mouth full?" He's trying his best. He really is. He doesn't know how to fix the situation.
And clearly, he isn't doing a good job whatsoever. Sam takes his glasses off and sets them on the table before turning to hide his face against Jacob, starting to cry. His hands grab onto Jacob's shirt.
Jacob is quick to turn so he can more properly hug Sam, holding him close. "Sh sh sh sh sh, it's okay! They're not here anymore. You're okay." He rubs his back, trying his best to help soothe the younger boy, but he has absolutely no idea how to do that. He's copying what he's seen people do on TV.
Really though, there is nothing Jacob can do. Sam needs a few minutes to actually let himself be upset over this. Normally, he has to walk it off like nothing happened.
After a few minutes, Sam's crying slowly dies down. Jacob's shirt is wet now, but he doesn't care; the nerd is more important.
"I-I'm sorry, I do-don't know what got over m-me..." Sam stumbles over his words, sniffling quietly. He pulls away from Jacob slightly, wiping away the remaining tears.
"It's okay! That's what friends are for, right?"
Sam looks up at Jacob, the tiniest hint of a smile playing on his lips. "We're... Friends?"
Unlike the hint that shows up on Sam's face, a full smile spreads across Jacob's face as he nods, pulling Sam in for another hug. "Of course we are!" He playfully ruffles Sam's hair. "Why do you think I join you for lunch sometimes for a few minutes, silly~!"
A cute little giggle escapes past Sam's lips as he tries to get away and bat Jacob's hand away from his hair. Now there's a real smile on his face. "Stohop that! I don't exactly have experience with having friends!"
The smile on Jacob's face only grows. That little giggle from Sam sounded so cute and bubbly. It alone managed to break the sour mood surrounding them. He wishes he could hear more of it. "You're a lot cuter when you smile~" He reaches over to pick up Sam's glasses and give them to him, which Sam takes and puts back on. "If you want us to be friends, then we are friends."
"I'm not cute!" The tips of his ears turn a scarlet red. "But... Yes. I want to be friends."
"Okay. Then we are friends~"
"Okay. Friends." Sam looks back up at Jacob now that he can see again, a genuine and sweet smile that reaches his eyes on his face. A tender silence falls over the two.
That smile makes Jacob blush too, his cheeks turning as red as Sam's ears. He quickly breaks eye contact, looking at Sam's bag on the ground. "I remember you offering me lunch?"
"Oh!" Sam scoots away from Jacob quickly, easily distracted by the change of topics. He opens his bag, pulling out a lunchbox. "Sorry, I almost forgot~" He hands the lunchbox to the brunette.
Jacob takes it. "Thank you. You didn't have to do this, you know~" He opens the lunchbox. This kid really is rich. This looks like a professionally made meal. "Holy cow-"
The blond giggles again. "I thought you would pass your quiz, so I wanted to give you something as congratulations."
"And what would you have done if I told you I thought I flunked the quiz~?"
"Thrown the lunchbox at you."
Jacob reaches over to pull Sam close again, just to be able to ruffle his hair playfully. "You jerk!"
He tries to stop Jacob, starting to giggle again. That's a consistent reaction to having his hair ruffled. Good to know. Jacob is definitely taking a mental note of that because it is a very cute reaction.
"I can't reward you for not doing good!" He manages to get away from Jacob. "And I didn't mean it. You would've gotten the lunch either way. I had faith in you."
Just as his blush was dying down, Sam had to go and say that, making Jacob's blush come back. "... Shut up..." He looks down at the lunchbox and starts to eat.
Sam's still ecstatic with the knowledge that he has a new friend. He has a friend! Pops will be so proud of him.
"Oh! Also... I was wondering... Would you like to play chess? I thought it would be a good way for you to practice logic."
Jacob's gaze jumps back to Sam as he raises an eyebrow. "Were you waiting for us to be friends before asking that?"
Sam nods sheepishly.
"That's adorable~ Sure. It can't be that bad. You don't need to explain the rules to me. I already know them."
Once he has the go-ahead, Sam digs through his backpack to retrieve a small-ish version of chess. A portable version of it while still being big enough to be easily played. That he apparently carries in his backpack. He sets the board down and runs over to the other side of the table so he and Jacob are sat across from one another. "I pick white." He calls out as he starts to set up the board, letting Jacob eat his lunch in the meantime.
Jacob does simply eat his lunch while Sam gets everything set up, watching him happily. The kid looks so eager to play, this pure joy clear in his eyes. Once the board is set up, Jacob sets the rest of the food aside for now, scooting over so he's in front of the board. "I'm assuming white goes first?"
"I thought you knew the rules?"
"I know how the pieces move! Sorry that I don't technically know EVERY rule~"
"White does go first." Sam takes one of his knights out.
Jacob copies the move. "Don't expect me to be good. I haven't played that much."
(Not writing out every move)
A few minutes go by, and the two are now well into the mid-game portion of the game. Sam has a clear upper hand on the board, but Jacob doesn't care. However, this is when Sam decides to pull out his secret weapon, even though it's unnecessary. He would win either way.
Jacob picks up his bishop. As soon as he does though, the blonde hums in disapproval. "... Is this a bad move or something?"
"It's your death, not mine."
He puts the bishop back down. Now, he picks up the queen. Sam inhales sharply, tilting his head to the side and furrowing his eyebrows. He puts the queen back down.
...
He picks up a pawn. ... No reaction from Sam. He moves the pawn forward one.
Sam kills the bishop Jacob originally intended to move.
"What?! But you said..."
A smug grin spreads across Sam's face. He's not just playing chess; he's playing mind games. He lulled Jacob into a false sense of security by occasionally helping him before, and now it may or may not be a good idea to take his advice.
Jacob pouts, now moving his queen to where he wanted to move it before.
Sam takes that too.
"How?!"
That smug grin only widens. He's enjoying this. He finds it fun to watch Jacob suffer; this kid is secretly evil.
Jacob picks up his knight, which gets an approving hum from Sam. That has to be good, right? He moves the knight.
Sam takes it, giggling quietly to himself. The kid doesn't even have to say a word, and he can make Jacob second guess his entire plan. He's smart enough that people assume he must just know or see something they don't, it gets in their heads.
"Alright, that's it! I'm not going to pay any attention to you!" Jacob picks up his other knight. Sam inhales sharply again.
Ignore it. Ignore it. It means nothing.
He moves the piece but keeps his finger on it, looking around for ways Sam would take it with. This time, he spots the trap, moving the piece back. But the knight is the only plausible thing for him to move. He doesn't have any other useful pieces. With a defeated sigh, he moves the knight.
Sam doesn't take the knight. Instead, he takes the pawn from before.
Why?!
"Check!"
Oh...
"Mate~"
Jacob looks at the situation on the board for several seconds before nodding. "Yup, that's checkmate. What was the point of messing with me like that?"
"It distracted you from my plan~" Sam shrugs, taking the board and all the pieces, putting them away. "That was fun!"
"That was torture."
"Fun!"
Jacob rolls his eyes. "Whatever you say~"
Right as he says that, the bell rings. For the first time, Jacob stayed with Sam through the entire lunch period.</p>
</div>
</details>
<details id="7" class="Jacob Sam">
<summary>
<h1>Friends!</h1>
</summary>
<div class="content">
<p>Friends.
They're friends now.
For the rest of the day, Sam has a wide smile stuck on his face that he can't seem to get rid of. As soon as school is let out, he runs out to his ride excitedly, which is rare for him. "Daren, Daren! I made a friend! I have a friend!" He's practically bouncing with excitement as Daren steps out to greet him. It's the same man that dropped Sam off at Jacob's house.
"He stood up to a mean kid for me and then said we were friends!" He's almost running out of breath because everything he has said so far has been said in the span of like, five seconds. He's speaking too fast for Daren to catch everything.
"Sir, with all due respect, calm down." Daren kneels down to be level with Sam. "I am proud of you though. Did you give that boy the lunch?"
He nods proudly, beaming with joy. He can't wait to tell Pops all about it!
"Good~" Daren smiles and stands back up. "Let's get you situated in the car."
Sam nods again, now taking his backpack off to put it in the car. Then he gets in to the back seat. Daren buckles him in. He then goes around to the driver side door and gets in. He doesn't turn the music on. He suspects that Sam wants to keep talking.
And he was right. The entire ride home, Sam is going on and on nonstop about how cool Jacob is and how Pops is going to be so proud of him.
As soon as they pull into the driveway, Daren barely has time to unbuckle him before Sam grabs his bag and bolts inside.
"DAD! DAD! GUESS WHAT?" His voice echoes as he charges up the grand staircase to his father's office, flinging open the door. "I have a friend!"
His father, mid-work, stops and turns, a small smile forming. "You do?"
Sam tosses his bag aside, sprinting over to jump onto his lap and throw his arms around him. "I have a friend!"
The father chuckles softly, hugging the kid back. "Who is it?"
"Jacob! The boy I've been tutoring!"
"So our little plan worked~?"
Sam nods excitedly.
"See, I told you that if you found a way to have someone spend some more time with you, they would like you. You haven't been given a chance by anyone else, so you had to create that chance yourself. Good work, kiddo~ And you have actually been helping him academically, correct?"
"Mhmm! He passed a science quiz today because of a song we made!"
"That's wonderful~ Don't tell you mother."
"I won't."</p>
</div>
</details>
<details id="8" class="Jacob Sam">
<summary>
<h1>Sleepover (Not yet imported)</h1>
</summary>
<div class="content">
<p></p>
</div>
</details>
<details id="9" class="Sam lore">
<summary>
<h1>The Event</h1>
<h2 class="twc">Trigger warning: Death, Wolf attack</h2>
</summary>
<div class="content">
<p>For the week, Sam's family was spending time in one of their vacation homes near the woods. It's a quaint little cottage away from the rest of town. Since it's not that big, there's little to do. So, very often, the kids spend their time outside when they stay at this vacation home. This was one of those days.
"Make sure to look after your brother and sister!" His mother calls out to him as the three kids make their way to the door.
"Don't worry, Mom, we'll be safe." Sam carefully picks Simon, the youngest kid who is only a toddler, up in his arms, not wanting to let him walk alone. Lindsey, who's only a few years younger than Sam, darts out the door, gesturing for Sam to follow.
"Come on, come on! I want to swing!"
The blonde chuckles and follows the girl outside and into the woods. They go down a faint path between the trees to a nice clearing in the woods, where a tire swing is tied onto a sturdy tree branch. The moment they arrived, Lindsey ran straight for it, climbing on with ease.
Sam carefully sets Simon down now that they're at their destination. Then, he leans back against a tree trunk, just keeping an eye on the two younger siblings since he's the oldest and since he's responsible for them.
After a while, the toddler tries to get Sam's attention, tugging at his hand. With a smile, the blonde gets down on one knee to be at the toddler's height. "What's wrong?"
"I... Scary noise. I saw eyes-"
The blonde has no idea what that's supposed to mean. Not until he hears a scream, at least. He looks over at the tire swing his sister was on, his face going pale.
The girl had fallen off and was pinned to the ground by a large wolf. She kicked and yelled, trying with all her might to fight the wolf off, but she was too young to have that kind of strength.
"Lindsey!"
Sam didn't move. He couldn't. His whole body locked up as he watched the wolf tear into her. She kicked. She screamed. And then she stopped.
Simon tried to run toward her, but Sam held him back. There was nothing a toddler could do against a wolf. There was nothing *he* could do.
He could only watch as the animal dragged her lifeless body into the trees and disappeared.
Minutes passed. Maybe more. His mind was blank, his limbs numb. The world felt distant, muffled, like he wasn't really here. He didn't even realize he was crying until he felt the wetness on his cheeks.
Then Simon started sobbing, and the sound snapped Sam back to reality.
Mom. Dad. He needed to get them.
He scoops Simon up into his arms and runs out of the forest. Tree branches fly by, a few snagging him and drawing blood, but he doesn't care; he needs to get home as fast as possible. He swings the door open once he gets to the house, sprinting inside to find one of his parents, his heart pounding. "Dad! Dad! Lindsey- Lindsey..." He almost drops his brother, but he manages to set him down more carefully before latching onto his father as he starts sobbing. "There... There was a wolf... And... And... I'm sorry!"
He can't breathe. He can't get words out. He can't think. It all feels so unreal like he's going to wake up any minute now and realize this was all just a bad dream.
"Lindsey? What happened? Are you okay?" The father hugs Sam tightly and pulls Simon into the hug since the toddler is crying too. "KATHY!" He calls out to the mother, trying to get her attention.
She walks into the room, her eyes widening at the sight of her crying sons.
"Go find Lindsey," their father said, voice tense. "She should still be near the swing."
"She's dead!" Sam choked out. "The wolves-"
The mother is a bit in shock, but she nods. "I'll be right back. You call 911, and make sure to use our name! Get us the best service you can!" Then she was gone.
Their father took a deep breath, gripping Sam's shoulders. "Sam? Sam! Look at me."
Sam did, barely processing anything.
"I need you to handle your brother for five minutes while I call an ambulance. I know you're scared, but I need you to be strong."
"I don't want to be strong!"
"How about... Tutoring! You like tutoring, right? Well, tutor your brother on how to handle stress!"
"I can't teach something I don't know. You never taught me emotional regulation!"
"Okay, okay..." The father sighs, taking out his phone. "I'll stay here. But I need you to be a little quieter so Daddy can tell the helpful people how to get here, okay?"
Sam nods, burying his head against his father's chest.
The father hugs him close with one hand, using the other to dial 911. "Hello? Yes, this is Daniel Broteez. We think our daughter may have suffered a wolf attack. We are at..."
Sam doesn't hear the rest of his words; he's too busy sobbing. Why won't he wake up?! This is a dream! This is a dream. None of this is real!
The paramedics and police arrive. Who knows what they're doing, Sam can't tell. The entire thing doesn't feel real. He's dissociating. At some point, some man takes him away from his father and wraps a warm towel around his shoulders before asking him a series of questions. He can't answer any of them. Eventually, Sam decides to just agree with whatever they say. He doesn't comprehend any of their words; he just nods his head yes to everything, hoping that makes them stop. He just needs everything to stop; it's going too fast. Why won't they stop?
He misses Jacob... Where's Jacob?</p>
</div>
</details>
<details id="10" class="Jacob">
<summary>
<h1>The News</h1>
</summary>
<div class="content">
<p>Jacob stares at the tv in complete and utter shock.
"Ten-year-old boy, Samuel Broteez, allegedly fed his seven-year-old sister, Lindsey Broteez, to the wolves. What does this mean for the Broteez family? Was it truly an act of horrific spite or merely an accident? More on this after the break."
Sam? No, there's no way. He's far too sweet and innocent to feed someone to the wolves. He may be rude at times, but that's simply because he doesn't think the blonde understands how many social interactions work, not because he genuinely intends to hurt people.
He looks up at his mother. "This... This can't be true... Right? He... He's too pure for something like this!"
His mother is just as shocked as him. "No... I don't think it's true... From what you told me about how he acts when his sister is around, I doubt he had any malicious intentions toward her. This must just be the news hyping up the event..."
"But isn't that... What's the word... You know... The legal thing, where you can't lie about someone to bring their reputation down!"
"Slander? Yes, it might fall under the category of slander." She gently puts an arm around Jacob. "Do you want me to change the channel? Or would you like to see the rest of what the news has to say about this?"
"Keep it here." Jacob leans into his mother's hold. He can already feel his eyes welling up just at the thought of what Sam must be going through right now.
How can they put such lighthearted and cheerful commercials after a story like that? Do tv people have no hearts?
Eventually, the commercials end, and the news is back.
"Welcome back to the Prismorian News Network. Before the break, we mentioned how this ten-year-old boy—" A picture of Sam is shown on screen "—fed his sister to the wolves. When questioned about whether or not this was one purpose, he admitted to it immediately."
This has to be a mistake. They must have misinterpreted him or something.
"Here is the footage caught leaked by an investigator:"
The video is of a policeman questioning Sam in what looks to be one of his parents' vacation houses. Sam is sobbing, agreeing to whatever the policeman asks.
"This is bullshit!" Jacob exclaims. His mother doesn't even bother calling him out on his foul language since foul language is entirely appropriate in this situation. "He didn't admit to anything; he's just scared! Look at him! He probably just wanted to make them stop asking questions, so he agreed to make them happy!"
"The news likes to twist reality. I'm sure people will point this out, and he'll be found innocent."
"But they're traumatizing an already traumatized kid! His sister just died! He loved his sister... She... She was a sweet kid..." The permanence of the death finally hits Jacob like a ton of bricks. Sam's sister... she's never coming back. He wasn't exactly best friends with the girl, but he did like being around her. "She... She wanted to be a photographer when she grew up... She had plans..."
His mother pulls him into a tighter hug, rubbing his back softly and turning the TV to mute. "It's a tragedy... The best we can do for her now is to carry on her memory."
Jacob cuddles into her, a few tears rolling down his cheeks. "What about Sam? What can we do for him?"
"Well... Since, for some reason, the police think this was a malicious attack, they'll probably take him in for questioning for a few more days. After that... We just have to be there for him. And his family. Let them have time to grieve and process their feelings." She looks down at him, gently running her fingers through his hair. "Remember what we always taught you; it's okay to be sad. You can try to cheer him up, but if nothing works, let him be sad. Just offer a shoulder to cry on. Show him you care."
Jacob nods, sniffling a little. "I'll try..."
"You don't have to be perfect. You are still just a kid, too; you're still learning how to handle your big feelings~ Don't beat yourself up if he's not receptive to your help."
He nods again, going quiet as he stays curled up with his mother. It all seems so crazy. Who would blame a child for this? Why would they think Sam did this?</p>
</div>
</details>
<details id="11" class="Jacob Sam">
<summary>
<h1>I'm here for you</h1>
<h2 class="twc">Trigger warning: Mention of abuse</h2>
</summary>
<div class="content">
<p>Sam is away from school for several days. Jacob keeps looking every day, keeping an eye out in the halls and in the cafeteria, but the blonde is nowhere to be found. It's very concerning.
Eventually, he decides enough is enough, gets permission from his mother, and then stops by Sam's house after school a week after the incident. He walks up hesitantly and rings the doorbell.
Sam's father opens the door. He does not look good. It appears he hasn't shaved since the incident, and a bit of peach fuzz is starting to grow around his jaw. His hair is slightly unkempt as compared to his normal polished appearance. And his eyes have large bags under them from the lack of sleep over the past week. "... Jacob? I'm sorry, but he's not up for tutoring for a while. You're going to have to find another tutor."
"Oh, no, Mr. Broteez, I'm here as a friend. I saw the news and was starting to get worried when I didn't see Sam in school. Is it... Is it okay if I see him?"
After a long pause, the father nods and steps to the side, letting Jacob in. "He's in his room. Don't be surprised when he kicks you out."
"Thank you, Mr. Broteez." Jacob steps inside, taking his shoes off once inside. "Is there anything I can do to help you and the family?"
"Showing any form of concern for Sam is helpful enough. I'm going to get back to work..."
This... This is very depressing. The house feels so empty. Without the cheerful nature of Sam and his sister running around, the walls seem to loom over the room, the vast empty space almost suffocating.
Jacob takes a deep breath before heading up the large spiral staircase and walking down the hall to Sam's room. The door is shut. Usually Sam leaves it open...
He knocks on the door lightly. "Sam? It's... It's Jacob."
Silence.
"I... I'm coming in, Sam." He takes ahold of the handle, twisting it as he slowly creeks the door open to peer inside.
Sam sits silently and unmoving on his bed, hugging a pillow to his chest. That innocent, carefree light has left his eyes, leaving them as empty and dreary as the house. They're also red and puffy. He has a few new scars and cuts scattered about his arms and face. His glasses have a crack in them. He has also lost some weight. He used to be a little bit on the chubby side - not exactly fat or anything - but now he is clearly on the skinny side.
"S-Sam?..." Jacob shakily steps inside, scared to enter the room. Afraid to enter this dark atmosphere surrounding Sam. But... He has to. He has to help his friend. "I... I'm here for you..." He shuts the door behind himself. "Can... C-Can you look at me? I missed you..."
A knife twists in his chest the longer he looks at Sam. It hurt to see him like this. He doesn't want to see him like that. But he must.
The blonde doesn't respond; it's like Jacob doesn't even exist to him.
Slowly, the older boy takes a few more steps toward the bed, climbing onto it. "Please... I... I care about you. A lot." He crawls over to where Sam is on the bed, reaching a hand up to gently tilt Sam's head towards him.